by Stuart Batley | Boat Maintenance, Navigation, Preparation
Understanding tides when passage planning When planning a trip in tidal waters, check the tides before going afloat. Use almanacs, charts, tide tables and tidal stream atlases to gather all the data you need. It is advisable to have a written note of tidal data for...
by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Navigation, Preparation
Sailing & Motoring in Fog You can only measure the visibility accurately if sailing & motoring in fog when you have another object in sight so assume that it is less than you think. It can take time to ‘see’ another vessel as you may not be looking directly at...
by Stuart Batley | Navigation, Preparation
International ColRegs Rule 7: Risk of Collision Anyone who is responsible for a vessel at sea, from the smallest dinghy to an ocean going supertanker, must be able to recognise other vessels around them day or night, whatever the visibility. They need to...
by Stuart Batley | Communications, Emergencies
How to broadcast a MAYDAY emergency call How to broadcast a MAYDAY emergency call if a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and immediate assistance is required: • Check that your VHF radio is on and high power setting is selected Select Channel 16...
by Stuart Batley | Preparation
Yachting Safety Briefing Down below Lifejackets and harnesses – fitting, when to wear, clipping on Gas – risks, precautions, gas bottles and taps Fire prevention – extinguishers, fire blanket, where and how to use Moving around –...